Better Boy Tomato in Zone 6A — Midwest

Better Boy Tomato is a Midwest garden staple for good reason. Its classic tomato flavor shines in everything from BLTs to homemade sauce, and its reliable production fills baskets throughout the summer. Plus, its disease resistance gives you an edge in our sometimes unpredictable weather.

We Midwest gardeners know our springs can be a bit of a rollercoaster, and summer heat spells can be intense. But with a little planning and attention to timing, you can absolutely enjoy a bumper crop of Better Boy Tomatoes within our 178-day growing season.

Starting your Better Boy Tomato seeds indoors in mid-March through early April gives them a head start on our moderate-to-late spring. You'll want to sow your seeds in seed trays filled with a good seed-starting mix. Provide warmth – a heat mat underneath the trays helps – and plenty of light, either from a grow light or a sunny window.

Water gently from the bottom by placing the tray in a shallow dish of water until the soil surface is moist. This encourages strong root growth and prevents damping off. Remember, our spring weather can be variable, so keeping them indoors until after any late frosts is key.

Transplant your Better Boy Tomato seedlings outdoors from early May through early June, once the danger of frost has passed. Before planting, you'll need to harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time and sun exposure each day.

When transplanting, space your plants 24-36 inches apart in fertile soil. Keep an eye on the weather forecast around transplant time – a sudden cold snap can still happen, so be ready to cover your plants if needed.

Better Boy Tomatoes need consistent watering, especially during our moderate-to-hot Midwest summers. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Give them a good soak when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch – that's the "finger test."

During the peak of summer, you'll likely need to water deeply about 1-2 inches per week, especially if we're not getting much rain. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage fungal diseases in our moderate-to-humid climate. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and slow growth, while yellowing leaves and soggy soil indicate overwatering.

A layer of mulch around your tomato plants helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, which is especially helpful in our region's sometimes unpredictable weather patterns.

Better Boy Tomatoes are indeterminate, meaning they'll keep growing and producing fruit all season long. Their vigorous vines and heavy fruit need strong support. A sturdy tomato cage or stake works best.

Install your support system at planting time to avoid disturbing the roots later. As the plant grows, gently guide the vines into the cage or tie them to the stake. This will keep the fruit off the ground, improve air circulation, and make harvesting easier.

Pruning your Better Boy Tomato plants helps improve air circulation and encourages larger, earlier fruit. Focus on removing the "suckers" that grow in the crotch between the main stem and branches. These suckers will develop into new stems and leaves, but they'll also divert energy from fruit production.

Start pruning suckers early in the season and continue throughout the summer. You can also remove the lower leaves that touch the soil to help prevent disease. As the first frost approaches around mid-October, you can pinch off the top of the plant to encourage the remaining green tomatoes to ripen.

You can expect your first Better Boy Tomato harvest from mid-July through early September, about 72 days after transplanting. Ripe tomatoes will be large, red, and slightly soft to the touch. Gently twist the tomato off the vine, being careful not to damage the plant.

Harvest regularly to encourage continued production. Even green tomatoes can ripen indoors if frost threatens – simply place them in a paper bag with an apple or banana. The ethylene gas released by the fruit will speed up the ripening process.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Better Boy Tomatoes in the Midwest:

Blossom End Rot

• What it looks like: A sunken, dark brown or black leathery patch on the bottom of the tomato.
• What causes it: Calcium deficiency due to inconsistent watering, especially during dry spells followed by heavy rain.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently, especially during hot, dry periods. Mulch heavily to maintain even soil moisture. Remove affected fruit.

Cracking

• What it looks like: Splits in the tomato skin, either in circles around the stem or lines radiating from the stem.
• What causes it: Rapid changes in soil moisture, like heavy rain after a dry spell.
• How to fix/prevent it: Water consistently. Mulch to maintain even moisture. Harvest promptly when ripe.

Hornworms

• What it looks like: Large sections of leaves stripped overnight. Large green caterpillars with white stripes.
• What causes it: Hornworm caterpillars feeding on your tomato plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Handpick the hornworms off the plants. Bt spray is effective and organic.

Early Blight

• What it looks like: Brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves, spreading upward.
• What causes it: Fungal disease that thrives in warm, humid conditions.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove and destroy affected leaves. Mulch to prevent soil splash. Water at the base. Improve air circulation. Copper fungicide can slow the spread.

Midwest Specific Challenges: Our moderate-to-hot summers and moderate-to-humid climate can create favorable conditions for fungal diseases like early blight. Consistent watering is key to preventing blossom end rot and cracking, especially with our wet-summer rainfall patterns.

Companion planting can help your Better Boy Tomatoes thrive in the Midwest garden. Basil is a great companion because it repels tomato hornworms and other pests. Carrots improve the soil around tomatoes, and parsley attracts beneficial insects. French marigolds deter nematodes and other soil pests.

Avoid planting brassicas (like cabbage and broccoli) near tomatoes, as they can stunt their growth. Fennel inhibits the growth of many plants, including tomatoes, and corn competes for nutrients and sunlight.